Correction of Fixed Knee Flexion Deformity in Children Distraction by Cast Wedge and Rod Lengthening

Management of pediatric fixed knee flexion deformities (FKFD) has always been a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. They occur due to a variety of causes, including cerebral palsy, arthrogryposis, spina bifida, trauma, and many others. The deleterious effects of FKFD include instability of gait and balance, exhaustion of extensor mechanism, and anterior knee pain, which together produce marked limitation of the activities of daily living in affected children .

Many options have been proposed for the correction of FKFD, with each having its pros and cons. Hamstring release and posterior capsulotomy are frequently used. However, extensive soft tissue release may be needed to treat severe deformities with the risk of neurovascular compromise and genu recurvatum. Supracondylar extension osteotomy with patellar tendon advancement requires postoperative non-weight bearing for at least three weeks and is associated with risk of neurovascular damage and coronal plane deformities and it is mostly used in older children and adolescent . Gradual distraction by ring fixators may be complicated by pin tract problems, fractures, and recurrence .

Our study entails the application of a simple method for correction of FKFD in younger children using a simple cast distraction technique. This conservative method aims at avoiding the complications of surgery in children while achieving a reasonable amount of correction.